A Temporary Truce with Old Man Winter

“What
good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness?” ~ John Steinbeck

Hmmm, is it possible to
call a truce with my sworn enemy?

I am not now, nor have
ever been, a fan of Old Man Winter. I do not like the cold or the short, gray, winter
days when the sun goes into hiding. I especially do not like being stuck in
bumper-to-bumper traffic on the drive to work.

But even a winter bear such
as I, who hibernates for the season, can sometimes awaken and recognize, albeit
briefly and grudgingly, the subtler virtues of the season. While it will never
rival the rebirth of spring, the lush life of summer or the colours of autumn,
I might give it its due.

It is a December
Saturday. My Christmas shopping is done. My cupboard and fridge are well
stocked with food. I have no need to go anywhere, my car is safely docked in
the garage and I am comfortably settled on my couch. All is quiet and peaceful.

Since 9:00 am, snow has
been falling steadily, persistently but gently. I did not expect it and at
first was inclined to close the blinds. But as I stand at the window and watch,
the fat, wet snowflakes tumble and swirl, spin and float, in a winter waltz
that I cannot help but admire.

The barren branches of
trees, lifeless for weeks now, are gifted with a pearly frosting. The red
Christmas ribbon on the gate across the way wears an ivory bouquet. A waxen
blanket has been spread over the ground masking the bleak browns and greys of
yesterday.

One set of footsteps, soon
to be filled in, marks the hidden sidewalk bearing witness to a passerby of a
half hour ago. The rooftops are crested with fresh snow and the bushes are
growing alabaster bear paws. An unexpected peace has taken hold.

I have not forgotten
that there are three or four months of winter ahead. I know that I will curse
the season more frequently as it wears on and shows its less inspiring
qualities. I will long for spring and wish the cold away.

But at the moment, Old
Man Winter does not seem so grim. In fact, he seems to have acquired and is
showing off an artist’s touch. I am quite content for the moment to gaze out
the window and admire the show. Usually sworn enemies, the Old Man and I have
called a temporary truce.

For today, I will adopt
Steinbeck’s perspective. I will enjoy the lively dance of the snowflakes and see
them as an endless, swirling cloud of phantom fireflies planting the seeds for
the gentler seasons yet to come.

~  Now Available Online
from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of
Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the
author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a
double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website
at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

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